Rhipsalidopsis plant named ‘PKMRhips08’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Rhipsalidopsis  plant named ‘PKMRhips08’ particularly characterized by its compact plant habit; dense and bushy plant form; moderate growth rate and upright growth habit; red colored buds; and large, upright red flowers.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Rhipsalidopsis×hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘PKMRhips08’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Rhipsalidopsis, botanically known as Rhipsalidopsis×hybrida sometimes referred to as Rhipsalidopsis Britton et Rose, including Epiphylopsis Berger, commonly known as either Easter Cactus or Spring Cactus, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘PKMRhips08’.

The new Rhipsalidopsis cultivar is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, Christian Hald Madsen, in Søhus, Denmark.

The new Rhipsalidopsis cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in 2007 in Søhus, Denmark. The female and male parents are unpatented, proprietary Rhipsalidopsis×hybrida cultivars. The new Rhipsalidopsis cultivar was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2010 in Søhus, Denmark. The inventor selected ‘PKMRhips08’ on the basis of its flower color and compact, freely branching, upright growth habit.

Asexual reproduction of the new Rhipsalidopsis cultivar by phylloclade cuttings was first performed in 2010 in Søhus, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PKMRhips08’ which distinguish this Rhipsalidopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright growth habit and upright flowers;     -   2. Moderately vigorous growth; and     -   3. Red colored buds and flowers.

Data on the parent cultivars is no longer available for comparison with the claimed cultivar.

The most similar commercial cultivar to the instant cultivar ‘PKMRhips08’ is the Rhipsalidopsis cultivar ‘PKMrh02’ (Patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,425; CPVO Grant No. 37193). Plants of the instant cultivar ‘PKMRhips08’ differ primarily from plants of Rhipsalidopsis ‘PKMrh02’ in the following characteristic:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘PKMRhips08’ have a more upright growth habit than         plants of ‘PKMrh02’, especially seen when grown as large plants;     -   2. Plants of ‘PKMRhips08’ have shorter phylloclades than plants         of ‘PKMrh02’ and are thus lower overall in total height;     -   3. Plants of ‘PKMRhips08’ have more red colored flower buds and         flowers than plants of ‘PKMrh02’; and     -   4. Plants of ‘PKMRhips08’ have smaller flowers than plants of         ‘PKMrh02’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Rhipsalidopsis cultivar ‘PKMRhips08’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘PKMRhips08’.

FIG. 1 shows a typical flowering plant of ‘PKMRhips08’ grown in a 9 cm pot.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of typical buds and flowers and a single phylloclade of ‘PKMRhips08’.

FIG. 3 shows a comparison of a typical plant of ‘PKMRhips08’ with a typical plant of the comparison variety ‘PKMrh02’ (left) and a typical plant of the similar variety ‘Sagitta’ (right).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Rhipsalidopsis cultivar ‘PKMRhips08’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘PKMRhips08’ as grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Fyn, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice, where day temperatures in the greenhouse average 18° C. and night temperatures in the greenhouse average 16° C. Ambient light levels used while growing plants of ‘PKMRhips08’ are +50 Wm². No growth retardants were used when growing plants of ‘PKMRhips08’.

The age of the ‘PKMRhips08’ plants described is about 10-12 months after propagation and grown in 9 cm pots. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the winter season. Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 5^(th) edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Rhipsalidopsis Britton et Rose.         -   Common name.—Easter Cactus or Spring Cactus.         -   Variety denomination.—PKMRhips08. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unpatented, proprietary             Rhipsalidopsis Britton et Rose cultivar.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Unpatented, proprietary             Rhipsalidopsis Britton et Rose cultivar. -   Propagation: By phylloclade cuttings.     -   -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—In a greenhouse,             about 2 months at 18° C. to 21° C.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fine, well-branched. -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—Perennial, Epiphyte.         -   Overall shape.—Upright.         -   Form.—Dense and Bushy.         -   Growth habit.—Branched.         -   Branching habit.—1-3 new phylloclades forming at the apical             end of older phylloclades. No pinching required.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Vigor.—Good.         -   Crop time.—About 10-12 months are required to produce a             finished flowering plant.         -   Size at maturity.—Height (soil level to top of plant,             excluding flowers): About 10-12 cm. Spread: About 12-15 cm,             excluding flowers. -   Stem: None, older phylloclades may turn woody with age (several     years). -   Phylloclade:     -   -   Arrangement.—Phylloclades form at the apex of older             phylloclades to form branches.         -   Aspect.—Upright to arching (from basal phylloclade).         -   Strength.—Strong (from basal phylloclade).         -   Length.—About 25-35 mm.         -   Width.—Up to 24 mm.         -   Overall shape.—Oval.         -   Apex shape.—Truncate.         -   Base shape.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Crenate. Can be purple, between RHS 83A and RHS 83B.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth.         -   Pubescence.—Approx. 1-5 hairs up to 4 mm long at areoles             along margins.         -   Color of mature phylloclade.—Upper and lower surfaces: RHS             146A, yellow-green, the central part can be a little             brighter.         -   Venation.—None. -   Flower description:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering occurs from February to             April (northern hemisphere), but can be changed by short day             photo-treatment and cold treatment. Flowers persistent,             sessile.         -   Flowering response time.—About 8 to 9 weeks after end of             cold treatment.         -   Flowering longevity (dependent on temperature and light             conditions).—About 5 to 6 days.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Quantity of flowers per terminal phylloclade.—About 1 to 2.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—About 20 to 25,             depending on plant size.         -   Flower bud.—Length: Ranging from 0 to 30 mm (before             anthesis). Width: Ranging from 0 to 8 mm. Shape: Ovoid to             lanceolatoid. Color: Larger Buds (over 3 cm): RHS 42A, Red.             Smaller Buds (up to 3 cm): RHS 42A, Red.         -   Flower.—Type: Single. Shape: Actinomorphic. Aspect: Upright             to vertical during development. Persistent or self-cleaning:             Persistent. Height: About 3.5 cm to 4.0 cm (including             ovary). Diameter: Up to 7 cm.         -   Tepals.—Arrangement: Actinomorphic; not fused. Quantity:             15-20. Length: Ranging from 3 mm to 35 mm. Width: Ranging             from 0 mm to 5 mm. Shape: Oblanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base:             Apical Whorl: Fused; Basal Whorl: Free. Margin: Entire.             Appearance: Matte. Texture: Smooth and Silky. Color (When             Opening): Upper and lower surfaces: RHS 41A, Red. Color             (When Fully Opened): Upper and lower surfaces: RHS 41A, Red.             Color does not fade. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Quantity: Many (>100). Anther: Shape:             Oblong. Length: About 1 mm. Color: RHS 14B, yellow-orange.             Filament: Length: 15 mm. Color: RHS N74A, Red-Purple.             Pollen: Amount: Plenty. Color: RHS 14B, yellow-orange.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Quantity: 1. Stigma: Shape: Ovoid. Color:             Between RHS 155A and RHS 155B, white. Style: Length: 15 mm.             Color: Base: RHS NN155C, white. Apex: RHS N34A, orange-red.             Ovary: Shape: obdeltoid with a broad base. With ribs.             Length: 8 mm. Width: 8 mm. Color: Between RHS N77A and RHS             N77B, purple. -   Seeds/fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance and susceptibility: Not tested. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.     and to a high temperature about 40° C. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Rhipsalidopsis plant named ‘PKMRhips08’, as illustrated and described herein. 